How to say "stretch" in Japanese

• 伸びるのびるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers the intransitive sense of stretching or lengthening, as when hair grows, one's height increases, or grass extends. Use this when something stretches or grows by itself, not when someone stretches a limb.
• ストレッチCommon
  nounThe loanword for stretch, chiefly for stretchy fabric or stretch material in clothing. Note that it is also the everyday word for stretching exercises, so it is the go-to choice in those contexts.
• 広がるひろがるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbUsed when something stretches or spreads out over an area, such as a view, a plain, or a city extending before you. It suggests expansion across space rather than simple lengthening.
  うわさは四方しほう八方はっぽうに広ひろがった。↗

  The rumor spread far and wide.
• 差し伸べるさしのべるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA transitive verb for stretching or holding something out toward someone, most typically extending a hand to help or offering assistance. It is not used for materials or for things growing longer.
• 間あいだJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounMatches 'stretch' only in the sense of a stretch of time or space, as in a continuous period. It is really the word for an interval or gap between things, so it suits few other uses of 'stretch'.
  彼かれはメアリーとトムの間あいだに座すわった。↗

  He was sitting between Mary and Tom.

Use 「伸びる」 for things physically lengthening or growing, 「ストレッチ」 for stretchy material or the exercise, 「広がる」 for spreading out over space, 「差し伸べる」 for holding something out, and 間 for a stretch of time or space.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 伸びるのびるto stretch
• ストレッチstretch (of a material)
• 広がるひろがるto spread (out)
• 差し伸べるさしのべるto hold out
• 間あいだspace (between)
• のすto stretch
• 伸び上がるのびあがるto stretch
• 伸びをするのびをするto stretch (one's body)
• こじつけdistortion
• こじつけるto distort
• ストレッチ体操ストレッチたいそうstretching (exercise)
• 直線コースちょくせんコースstraight course
• 延べるのべるto lay out (a futon)
• 張るはるto stretch
• 伸ばすのばすto lengthen
• 引っ張るひっぱるto string (lines)
• 一帯いったいstretch (of land)
• 続きつづきsuccession (of)
• 走るはしるto run (through; of a road, street, etc.)
• 突っ張るつっぱるto push out (one's legs or arms)